For more than a decade, economists, lawmakers, and others have heralded the nation’s economy. Often citing how unemployment has declined as new jobs have been created, or Wall Street trading and major bank profits rising, some might be led to believe that all is well in America.
Here’s a staggering number – 553,000. Imagine what you would do if 553,000 dollars were deposited into your bank account today. Imagine what you can see if you travel 553,000 miles around the world? That is a significant number. The truth is that’s the number of homeless people recorded in the United States in 2018. Yes, the most developed country in the world allows a whopping 17 percent of its population to live on the streets. California holds a total of 113,952 abandoned homeless individuals; this represents 20 percent of all homeless people in the United States. Approximately 15,179 are veterans. People in this country are turning a blind eye as if this is some “new normal.” We have abandoned our neighbors, and homelessness is a clear symptom.
Kaiser Permanente officials are aiming to become a part of the homeless solution in Southern California with a $4.3 million grant to Los Angeles and San Diego for more affordable and secure homes. Those counties, officials said, have the highest rates of homeless with the least affordable housing. The grant will help to create and preserve 75 affordable and/or permanent supportive housing units in the two areas.
The panel discussion was open to the public and moderated by Mary Lee, committee chair Jacqueline Waggoner, and vice-chair Kelli Bernard. Committee members included were, Va Lecia Adams, Chancela Al-Mansour, Edward Anderson, Jack Barbour, Wendell Blassingame, Rachel Brashier, Oliver Buie, Chela Demuir-Cartier, Brian Ford, Robin Hughes, Janet Kelly, Monique King-Viehland, Veronica Lewis, Juataun Mark, Nova Mirari, Anita Nelson, Alisa Orduna, Molly Rysman, Suzette Shaw, Brenda Shockley, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Sean Spear, Reba Stevens and Pete White, Dhakshike Wickrema.
Six years ago, playwright Brandi Burks opened a new theatrical production, “Under the Freeway,” to highlight homeless people facing the consequences of their life choices. Fast-forward to 2019 and homelessness has reached rampant proportions with the number of individuals in this status escalating at an alarming rate. No longer is it only substance abuse and mental disorders that lead to homelessness, but also economic reasons, housing shortages and a myriad of contributing factors. In light of the today’s situation, Burks is reviving “Under the Freeway” to present the musical stage play on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m., at the
Wendy’s Window
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $214.8 billion state spending plan he and legislative leaders are calling “the Affordability Budget” for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
It took effect July 1 after the governor hashed out differences with the Assembly and Senate.
LA Mayor Garcetti & Assemblymember Santiago Applaud New Resources, Call on Legislature to Pass AB 1197 to Get Housing Built Faster Sacramento, CA – The California State Legislature and Governor Newsom agreed this year to spend $1B to address the state’s burgeoning humanitarian crisis: homelessness. $650 million of that spending will fund the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, formerly known as HEAP, as an addition to the $500 million allocated in last year’s budget. The Chair of the Select Committee on Los Angeles County Homelessness, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), who represents Skid Row and the surrounding areas, released the
More than 800 residents of Inglewood, Lennox, and the surrounding areas gathered at Inglewood High School on Saturday to participate in Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ (CA-43) Housing and Homelessness Community Forum